Everyday Hero

Beverly Zehr has been a poll worker in West Chester for more than 25 years.

Zehr said the precinct needed additional workers and asked if she would be interested. She thought it would be fun.

The job gives her an opportunity to meet people and interact with the community. There are some people she only sees on election days.

Each election is a lot of work, Zehr said, especially the presidential ones.

On Election Day, the poll workers arrive at 6 a.m. and leave around 10 p.m.

The challenging part is making sure everything is done right even when problems arise.

'So the people can be able to vote,” Zehr said.

Throughout the years Zehr has seen a variety of voting machines, but the biggest change has been the number of absentee voters.

Zehr said this year will have more than usual as well, both at the courthouse and by mail.

'Just because of the virus,” Zehr said.

Originally the West Chester precinct was at the City Hall but was moved to the school for more space.

'The last election I can remember in the City Hall was crowded,” Zehr said.

There was a line of voters outside of the building. When 9 p.m. hit, they had to file everyone inside, making the room crowded, Zehr said.

This year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the voting location has been moved into the gym, to allow people to spread out.

Zehr said the poll is following the same rules as every other poll, with someone wiping down the booths and having one use pencils.

After all the years, Zehr said she still enjoys doing it and enjoys the people she works with.

The personal interactions are reason she keeps doing it and will do it for years to come.